Dangerous Moonlight (Original title)Suicide Squadron (Alternative title)
Dates: 1941 (Copyright), 15 September 1941 (Release)Countries: USA, United KingdomDirected by: Brian Desmond Hurst
Synopsis: Romantic drama about the love of a American journalist and a Polish airman-pianist.Synopsis: Polish pilot and famous concert pianist, Stefan Radetzky, is hospitalised in England through injuries sustained while in combat, having lost his memory. As Radetzky plays the piano in a trance-like state, the story moves back in time to war-torn Warsaw. During an air-raid, Radetzky meets American journalist Carole, and there is a mutual attraction. Following the fall of Poland, Radetzky and Irish pilot, Mike, who had been fighting with the Polish Air Force, escape to Rumania and then on to America. Radetzky continues his musical career in America and meets up again with Carole, shortly after which they get married. However, when he hears of the formation of Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force in Britain he longs to join them, much against Carole's protestations. Mike goes to England, but Carole holds Stefan back, saying his music is more important. With the fall of France, Stefan can no longer stay in America and he tells Carole he must go. She replies that if he does go, it will be the end for them both. Stefan leaves anyway. During the Battle of Britain, Mike is killed in action, Stefan partly blaming himself for this as they had argued over Stefan refusing to answer Carole's letters just prior to Mike taking off to intercept German bombers. In a following aerial action, Stefan's guns malfunction and he rams a bomber with his fighter. It was following this incident that he was hospitalised, but by playing his music and the presence of Carole, who has come over from America to be with him, Stefan regains his memory and they both embrace.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Poland, Amnesia, Royal Air Force
Releases
Date: 1941Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 98 mins Length: 8781 FeetDialogue (original): English
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2625 5 Dec 1957: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n1785 3 Jul 1941
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n1785 3 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v144 n2 12 Jul 1941
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v144 n2 12 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v57 n4589 2 Jul 1941
Title: [Today's Cinema - v57 n4589 2 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v8 n92 August 1941 Page: 97
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v8 n92 August 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n39 Autumn 1941 Page: 47
Title: [Sight and Sound - v10 n39 Autumn 1941: no known title]Language: English
Author: PETTITT, Lance Pages: xiii, 267 pages
Title: Muir Mathieson 1911-1975: a life in film music
Author: HETHERINGTON, S.J. Pages: 288 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(13)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8759 FeetStock date: 1984BFI identifier: C-38433
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8794 FeetBFI identifier: C-38441
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Video materials(1)
Description: Umatic High BandColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-591482
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Film materials(12)
Description: Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-38434
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-38435
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: NegativeBase: NitrateBFI identifier: C-38436
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8794 FeetBFI identifier: C-38441
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8737 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-38437
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 2737 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-38439
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 8784 FeetBFI identifier: C-38445
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 8804 FeetBFI identifier: C-38444
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8761 FeetStock date: 1940BFI identifier: C-38442
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8779 FeetStock date: 1941BFI identifier: C-38443
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetyBFI identifier: C-38438
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8759 FeetStock date: 1984BFI identifier: C-38433
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access
Dates: 1941 (Copyright), 15 September 1941 (Release)Countries: USA, United KingdomDirected by: Brian Desmond Hurst
Synopsis: Romantic drama about the love of a American journalist and a Polish airman-pianist.Synopsis: Polish pilot and famous concert pianist, Stefan Radetzky, is hospitalised in England through injuries sustained while in combat, having lost his memory. As Radetzky plays the piano in a trance-like state, the story moves back in time to war-torn Warsaw. During an air-raid, Radetzky meets American journalist Carole, and there is a mutual attraction. Following the fall of Poland, Radetzky and Irish pilot, Mike, who had been fighting with the Polish Air Force, escape to Rumania and then on to America. Radetzky continues his musical career in America and meets up again with Carole, shortly after which they get married. However, when he hears of the formation of Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force in Britain he longs to join them, much against Carole's protestations. Mike goes to England, but Carole holds Stefan back, saying his music is more important. With the fall of France, Stefan can no longer stay in America and he tells Carole he must go. She replies that if he does go, it will be the end for them both. Stefan leaves anyway. During the Battle of Britain, Mike is killed in action, Stefan partly blaming himself for this as they had argued over Stefan refusing to answer Carole's letters just prior to Mike taking off to intercept German bombers. In a following aerial action, Stefan's guns malfunction and he rams a bomber with his fighter. It was following this incident that he was hospitalised, but by playing his music and the presence of Carole, who has come over from America to be with him, Stefan regains his memory and they both embrace.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Poland, Amnesia, Royal Air Force
Releases
Date: 1941Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 98 mins Length: 8781 FeetDialogue (original): English
Credits
(21)
©: Inc. RKO Radio Pictures, Produced by: William Sistrom, Production Manager: Phil Brandon, Continuity: Phyllis Ross, Screen Play by: Terence Young, Original story by: Terence Young, Photography by: Georges Perinal, Edited by: Alan Jaggs, Art Director: John Bryan, Gowns Designed by: Cecil Beaton, Music Composed by: Richard Addinsell, Pianist on Soundtrack: Louis Kentner, Music Performed by: London Symphony Orchestra, Musical Direction by: Muir Mathieson, Orchestrations: Roy Douglas, Sound Director: A.W. Watkins, [Sound] Recorded by: J.C. Cook, Sound System: Western Electric Mirrorphonic Sound System, Made at: D&P Studios, Studio: Denham Studios
Cast
(26)
Anton Walbrook (Stefan Radetzky), Sally Gray (Carol Peters), Derrick de Marney (Mike Carroll), Cecil Parker (specialist), Percy Parsons (Bill Peters), Keneth Kent (Andre de Guise), J.H. Roberts (Dr Longman), Guy Middleton (Whisky), John Laurie (wing commander), Frederick Valk (Polish C.O.), O.B. Clarence (butler), James Perrie, Marion Spencer, Leslie Gordon, Philip Friend (Pete), Michael Rennie (Topolski), Charles Farrell (first taxi driver), Robert Beatty ([Mac, American journalist]), Tommy Duggan, Conway Palmer, Gordon Glennon, Cynthia Heppner, Alan Keith, Kay Lewis, Kent Stevenson, William Taylor
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(6)
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2625 5 Dec 1957 Page: 15Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2625 5 Dec 1957: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n1785 3 Jul 1941
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n1785 3 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v144 n2 12 Jul 1941
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v144 n2 12 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v57 n4589 2 Jul 1941
Title: [Today's Cinema - v57 n4589 2 Jul 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v8 n92 August 1941 Page: 97
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v8 n92 August 1941: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n39 Autumn 1941 Page: 47
Title: [Sight and Sound - v10 n39 Autumn 1941: no known title]Language: English
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(2)
Title: Belfast bohemian of British cinema: the films of Brian Desmond HurstAuthor: PETTITT, Lance Pages: xiii, 267 pages
Title: Muir Mathieson 1911-1975: a life in film music
Author: HETHERINGTON, S.J. Pages: 288 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(13)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8759 FeetStock date: 1984BFI identifier: C-38433
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8794 FeetBFI identifier: C-38441
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Video materials(1)
Description: Umatic High BandColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-591482
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Film materials(12)
Description: Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-38434
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-38435
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: NegativeBase: NitrateBFI identifier: C-38436
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8794 FeetBFI identifier: C-38441
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8737 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-38437
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 2737 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-38439
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 8784 FeetBFI identifier: C-38445
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 8804 FeetBFI identifier: C-38444
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8761 FeetStock date: 1940BFI identifier: C-38442
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8779 FeetStock date: 1941BFI identifier: C-38443
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetyBFI identifier: C-38438
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8759 FeetStock date: 1984BFI identifier: C-38433
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access